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March, 2014 Archives

This is one of those Facebook things …I’m sorry…I am..but holy cow…I was guilty of every single one of these things. Most in the most recent past. This is a reminder..to not do that. If I just post it on Facebook..I’ll forget in 20 seconds. But here..it will last a little longer. You really should click through..and actually read this list because I bet there is stuff you could be reminded of too.

I absolutely adore this movie. I’ve watched it twice now in the last year. I was so surprised when I watched this film from the 60′s that spoke of love and relationships in a way that wasn’t idealistic, or always romantic, but surely real. It’s the story of a couples 12 year journey through life and love with all the pitfalls that happen.

I love the story, I love Audrey Hepburn, I love the scenery, the cars, the wardrobes. Everything is so wonderful. What this trailer doesn’t show, that I love so much, is the dynamic of their love and the method of telling the story..constantly cutting from the beginning of their relationship, to current, to somewhere in the middle, to back to the beginning, to another point in the middle, to the current again..and so it goes. Using repeating locations and people as common ties. The story itself is a rocky love story of an unlikely match between a sarcastic, seemingly self centered architect, and a sweet, almost naive, gorgeous woman who can volley back anything that crank can throw her way.

While intricately woven together, the story is of a relationships sweet fresh beginnings that turn to tougher times with infidelity, and a baby, and crushing ties to a demanding employer, and the strained..almost lost connection, and more infidelity, and anger and resentment and then…acknowledgement of each others importance and then..surrender to their cagey, banter filled, sarcastic volley filled existence of deep love for one another expressed through their unique dynamic of a constant push pull.

I’ve been thinking a lot about loneliness the last couple of years. I’ve found myself lonelier than I’ve ever been. Through many circumstances…seclusion in working for myself, a change in friend circles, a fragile relationship, a sometimes unwillingness to emerge from my safety zone..lots of reasons. There are steps I’m taking now to both be more accepting of my mostly solitary presence and even learn to enjoy it in extended periods, but also to realize when and how to minimize my loneliness with authentic experiences and relationships. Surprisingly many old friendships have emerged from places I never expected from people I haven’t connected with in a long time. Old friends. And new friends that seem like old friends so quickly. I’ll share more about my thoughts on this human condition we all seem to be enduring, but first this short video about social media and it’s contribution to our ever growing loneliness as a “modern, advanced, civilized world”. In my moments of most crushing loneliness I’ve spent hours on Facebook, Instagram, sometimes even that weird bird Twitter searching for a a nugget of relief, finding only more loneliness on top of my own loneliness. When I’ve on rare occasion posted things, I’ve found the quick burst of “someone liked it..someone commented..I am validated” wears off in nearly less than a minute. But that feeling after an evening spent having conversation over dinner or drinks, or chatting with distant friends, or even a quick alley exchange with a new neighbor has lasted for days. Do it. Reach out, connect and then cherish your solitude filled with time to fill yourself in other ways. That’s my thought for the day.

4 days ago I ladled a full scoop of steaming hot Strawberry jam on my hand. 2nd degree burns on the top and inside of my hand, big blisters. As I held the cold wet washrag to my burning hand on the drive home I thought to myself..”so how is it that I use my health insurance again and where is that emergency clinic..and can I shift and steer with my left hand..?” In four days the inside of my hand is completely healed and the outside is 75% better. All I’ve done is squeeze aloe from my plant onto it several times a day.

Oh Vice. You are so awesome. So in this response to that OTHER video with 20 gorgeous models kissing for the first time in gorgeous clothes..this is 20 strangers from the street kissing each other for $33. And I gotta say…add a sappy song on top and I would love it JUST AS MUCH. Seriously. It’s still pretty awesome to see how it changes people.

I just read a great article about the inventor of the Aeropress, which I’m a huge fan of. I use it every day. My favorite coffee maker by far. Simple. Tasty. Quite a story. Tenacity. Brains. A little luck and a lot of persistence. “overnight success” is usually calculated in years.

Goodness. This one caught me by surprise. A short video of strangers kissing for the first time can make your heart swell with overwhelming love, hope, sadness, sweet memories and great wonder in the power of attraction and a simple kiss….yep. Enjoy.

Note..it is a commercial for a clothing line. But what the hell. Commericals can be art too.